A draft for the Student Code of Conduct has been released. The Code establishes the expectations for student behavior. Most of the changes are to clarify policies rather than to introduce new rules.
Some new updates are that student guests are allowed two nights per week and 10 nights per semester and that changes to policies about online harassment and doxxing. Those actions have been made clear violations of the Code.
Another clarification made was the difference between administrative reviews and student hearings. An administrative review is an inquiry into a less serious violation. A student hearing is the process when the punishment is more significant or a student contends their charges. Two new disciplinary actions have been added to the Code of Conduct: deferral of degree and a revocation of the degree. If a student feels that their case was mishandled or a new piece of evidence has come forth, then they can request an appeal. The Code also clarifies that professors have responsibility to maintain their classroom environment. Interim measures are also clarified to be used during investigations.
The Code is supposed to be reviewed annually, but it has been a while since the Code of Conduct was revised. According to the Dean of Students Bob Mikus, the revision started last year and was supposed to be released last fall but was delayed. Most of the changes are “pragmatic and philosophical.” According to him, they are mostly made for clarification and to bring the policies in line with the schools principles and legislation from the government. The Code has gotten very little feedback from the school community, according to Dean Mikus. Last summer, it was presented to the Diplomatic Congress and the Student Affairs Council. After looking over the Code, they have approved it. The feedback ends on Monday, Sept. 28. After the feedback period, it will be sent to the President for him to sign. Dean Mikus said the Code is very important and helps decide the relationship between the school and the students. Also, the new Code is supposed to be much easier to find.
Freshman Aleksandr Otus is a Contributing Writer. Their email is aotus@fandm.edu.